The Forgotten Tower

During the beginning hours of the walk the path seems to create a tunnel that surrounds the path. The shadows created by the rising sun creates an almost ominous foreboding feeling. The trees seem to reveal a sinister side and tower over everyone. The shadows create movement where none should be.

As the companions near where the keep should be the shadows thicken as do the weeds that encroach the unused path. Instead of getting brighter as the sun rises to create a new day, the area seems to absorb the sunlight and create shadows with it. Walking along no sound is heard but the footsteps of the three.

Finally ahead can be seen a spot of sunlight that the forest could not refuse to let shine. As the companions near the spot a large gloomy shape comes into view. Looking closer it appears to be a tower.

The tower is submerged in shadow except for the very top that is bathed in glorious sunlight. The tower looks like it may have been beautiful at one time, but age and weather has turned it into a gloomy sight. Smoke can be seen curling up from the center of the tower. The smell of fresh spiced meat can be smelled.

Surrounding the tower can be seen the two wolves that are sitting by a makeshift door. No other wolves can be seen from the vantage point the companions are in. The land from the tower to the path is vacant leaving barely any cover to use to sneak up to the tower. Fallen stones and mossed up wood beams litter the area but allow for no real hiding places. The wolves do not seem alerted.

Amber has an idea. "I will distract the wolves while you two sneak in."

Amber, before her companions eyes changes into a magnificent eagle and flies out to torment the wolves, staying just out of reach and trying to lead them away.

The eagle dives towards the wolves to get their attention. As soon as the eagle arrives near them the wolves jump and twist in the air trying to catch it. The wolves are barking and making a horrible racket.

The eagle starts to lead them away and the wolves follow barking and howling.

From inside the tower a strange singing can be heard starting again. It is funny that the singing is no louder here then it was at the cottage the night before. As the singing continues the wolves calm down. The wolves continue keeping an eye on the eagle but refuse to go outside of the cleared ring around the forest.

The singing stops.

From the sky Amber can see that the tower's bottom floor is fairly well protected from the weather. There is a makeshift roof that adequately keeps it enclosed. The smoke is coming from a small opening in the makeshift roof.

Dammar tries to make a break for the tower. When the wolves spot him, Dammar takes out some sand and casts spells at the wolves to try and distract them, "dust storm" he cries.

The wolves are enveloped in a large swirling mist of dirt and rubble that was strewn about the yard. The wolves try valiantly to get free of the whipping duststorm. Dammar calls for Aranya to follow him towards the entrance to the tower. "Let's go Aranya."

The entrance to the tower is locked or barricaded some how but the area is a slight nook so although cornered by the wolves when the duststorm disappears, the area is defensible. Nearby within reaching distance is some aging support beams and some rather large rocks.

The eagle flies around the perimeter of the keep, looking for any and all entrances. When she is done she will fly back to the group and help them defend themselves.

Dammar asks Amber "Did you see any way in that we could reach with those old beams and rocks." Amber saw no other openings around the tower. The only hole that was visible was the one that smoke was coming out of, this hole was too small for any of the group to squeeze through. The roof was makeshift but looked sturdy enough to withstand the weather. Maybe not steady enough to keep out determined adventures though. Can't quite tell though.

"If there is a way in, perhaps we could use it as a catapult, we could place the beam over the rocks and jump on one end and vault some one up? Well it was only an idea."

"I think we could make something with levers....... the question is, could we make something useful?" Aranya thinks on it a moment. "Have you got any ideas?"

Dammar gives the door a good kicking, just to release some frustration.

When Dammar kicks the door it gives a pretty good shimmy but manages to stay shut. The supports that are strewn about are within reach and are unconnected to anything. The support beam is large and long but could be managed by two people.

When the door does its shimmy thing, Aranya's eyes light up. She looks at the pile of beams again, and back at the door. "We could use one of those as a battering ram!"

Aranya goes over to the beams and tries to pick one up. She is straining to lift it but manages to one side up with the other leaning on the ground.

Amber starts to pester the wolves again. Hoping to get the rest in a bettor position.

Dammar helps Aranya by picking up the other end of the beam, "Come on we'll do it together, after the count of three. Let's hope Amber can keep those wolves busy."

Looking towards Amber it can be seen that she is keeping the wolves at bay but they are desperately trying to reach the door.

With Dammar's help, Aranya hefts the beam up to about waist level. “Okay, then... shall I count, or do you want to?"

Dammar grunts with exertion, "Okay I’ll count... ONE TWO THR.."

The door busts open with a thunderous crash. Dust is falling from the makeshift ceiling and the door is knocked off of its top hinge.

Looking inside it is very dark and a musty smell is overpowering. What little sunlight travels through the makeshift roof illuminates an empty shelf with some loose papers on it. Looking closer it is seen that the room seems to have been ransacked with paper all over the place, chairs overturned, drawers pulled out and dumped on the floor, major mess. It looks like this was a study of some sort. A corner in the far end is pitted totally with darkness, an edge of a passage extends into the light from it. No one can be seen.

The wolves seem to loose their bad temper and stop trying so hard to get to the door. They do not leave but stay watching.

Aranya wishes she had a torch, but she doesn't. She goes incautiously, looking around.

Amber continues to pester the wolves keeping them busy so the others can explore in safety from the wolves.

As Aranya enters the room she sees that it indeed is a study of somesort. Lying around the floor are scattered papers. Picking up one of the papers it has lines going across it with little dots with flags connected to them scattered all over the lines. Below each set of lines are some markings that look like writing that she cannot read.

Looking at the papers with a general view, Aranya can discern that the papers form a sort of trail to the corner with the hidden passage...